The area near the Mediterranean Sea grows the olive tree in abundance and from there came the idea of Mediterranean cuisine. This is because the main ingredient used in Mediterranean cuisine is olive oil which is not only produced but also exported worldwide.
Which are Mediterranean countries?
This biogeographical region includes the Mediterranean Sea and seven Member States, either partially (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain) or completely (Greece, Malta, Cyprus).
What is Mediterranean Food?
Mediterranean cuisine is defined by the food and preparation methods used by the inhabitants in the Mediterranean region.
There are many Mediterranean Foods and dishes which are famous but here I am listing top 5 mediterranean foods you must eat according to me which are my favorite as well.
Greek Salad
There are some delicious fruits and vegetables that can only be cultivated in the Mediterranean region. You’ll be delighted to see the freshness and vivid color of the fruit and vegetables if you simply stroll through any Mediterranean region food market.
Additionally, a cool, refreshing salad is frequently the order of the day in the sweltering heat. Greek salad is thought to have originated when farmers in rural regions whipped together a fast supper with what they had on hand. Fresh from the ground or markets, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives are the staples of the Greek salad.
Feta cheese is what makes it unique. In the past, a slice was applied to the salad’s elements. Salads now come with cubed or crumbled feta. The salad becomes a rejuvenating dish when you gently season it with salt and pepper and drizzle it with olive oil.
Pita
Common in the Mediterranean, Pita or pitta, is a family of yeast-leavened round flatbreads baked from wheat flour at a very high temperature. Pitas are cooked at extraordinarily high temperatures, up to 475°F, giving them their recognizable “puffed” appearance.
Pita is one of the most well-known and adored breads in the world because to its puffy texture. Pita originated from the Middle East, and it is known to be the oldest type of bread as it has been existing for around 4,000 years now.
It is a product of the Fertile Crescent, a region of the Middle East that stretches from northern Egypt to the Persian Gulf. But it was the Greeks who truly popularized pita.
It’s the ideal bread in Palestine for a filling breakfast of falafel, hummus, and pickled veggies. Wherever your journey around the Mediterranean takes you, you can nearly always find pita in a variety of mouthwatering dishes.
Pita bread is rich in fibre, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. It can help reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Falafel
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food sold in countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Israel. It is eaten throughout the Middle East and is a well known street food there.
Falafel are deep-fried patties made from chickpeas and/or fava beans added with variety of fresh herbs and spices. Falafel originally contained lava beans. But chickpeas quickly took the place of lava beans as this meal spread northward into the Middle East.
They can be eaten on their own or as a meze, a bigger meal. The history of falafel is controversial. They are thought to have originated in ancient Egypt as a simple snack to substitute meat when fasting.
Baklava
Baklava certainly finds place in top 5 mediterranean foods you must eat. Originated in Turkey, Baklava is a multi-textured pastry treat that is very exquisite. Its supposed origins are Turkish, dating to the Byzantine Empire. Filo pastry is sandwiched between layers of crushed nuts, and the layers are joined together with sweet honey syrup. It was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine.
The pastry layers of baklava have a flaky, buttery feel. An wonderful bite results from the crunch and the honey’s rich, sweet texture.
The most popular nuts in Turkey and Greece are pistachios and walnuts, respectively. The nuts used mainly in the traditional Greek Baklava recipe are walnuts.
On a warm Mediterranean evening, Baklava can be eaten on its own for dessert, but it’s usually served alongside coffee after dinner.
Ful Medames
The origins of Ful Medames, a favourite among Egyptians, go back thousands of years. Ful medames is the Egyptian breakfast dish of favas stewed with tahini and seasoned with garlic, cumin, and lemon.
This Egyptian ful medames recipe is easy to make in just 20 minutes. It has many health benefits as it is rich in fiber and protein. Egyptians like this stew with a variety of foods, including hard-boiled eggs, cured meat, and vegetable oil.
It’s said that the basic formula hasn’t altered much since it was utilised in ancient Egypt. This straightforward yet nourishing stew naturally travelled from North Africa to the Middle East. It’s loved in plenty of places.
